MADISON, WI - A national research watchdog organization has filed an
Official Complaint against the University of Wisconsin, Madison based on
recently obtained internal UW records.

UW reports reveal stunning abuses in which primates are dying with
brain infections sufficient to have liquefied the cerebrum. One primate
died with a foreign object lodged in the intestinal tract, while another
was killed during preparation for surgery when an endotracheal tube tore
the monkey’s throat.

Other primates at the UW died with severe cases of pneumonia, as well
as full-thickness ulcerations of the skin. In many instances these
conditions were the result of devices implanted into the spinal chord of
the deceased monkeys. Other monkeys died with meningitis which resulted
from ‘headcaps’ which had been attached to the skull.

"The practice of experimenting and performing surgical procedures upon
chronically ill monkeys is not only extremely cruel to the animals, but
also very bad science,” added Budkie. “The UW is wasting tens of millions
of U.S. tax dollars by experimenting on sick animals.”

The SAEN complaint asks that the USDA “immediately implement
proceedings to prosecute the University of Wisconsin, Madison to the
fullest extend that the law allows.”

Federal legislation has recently been introduced which would increase
potential penalties for violations such as those at the UW. HR 2193, the
Animal Protection Accountability Improvement Act, would quadruple the
potential fine for Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations from $2500 to
$10,000.